The outstanding Indian Mutiny V.C. group of six awarded to Private Patrick Donohoe of the 9th Lancers, who at the Battle of Bolondshuhur on September 28, 1857, went to the aid of his severely wounded officer, will be offered by Dix Noonan Webb in their auction of Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Estimated to fetch £140,000-180,000, the group has not been sold on the open market for over 100 years and is being sold by an Overseas collector.

As Christopher Mellor-Hill, Head of Client Liaison (Associate Director), Dix Noonan Webb comments:

Regarding the 9th Lancers specifically, the Regimental History gives the following account of the Bolundshuhur action:?'On the 28th, Lieutenant-Colonel Ouvry, riding well ahead of the main body with his cavalry, encountered a rebel brigade strongly entrenched in the village of Bulandshahr. The horse artillery opened fire on the hostile guns, but our infantry showed unusual timidity. "They could not be got, says Anson, "to look round a corner or to advance in any way. Ouvry therefore decided to rush the position with his cavalry alone, and, forming the 9th Lancers into threes, he says in his journal, ?It was a most gallant exploit - no less than five Victoria Crosses were won during the course of it, by Lieutenant Blair, Trumpeter Kells, and Privates Donohoe, Roberts, and Jordan [Private Henry Jordan died of wounds shortly afterwards, and owing to the statutes in force at the time his V.C. would never be gazetted or awarded] - but the losses of the regiment were heavy in proportion. Captain Drysdale was badly hurt when his horse was shot under him, and Kells and Jordan won their V.Cs. by rescuing him. Lieutenant Blair was wounded in a fight with a band of rebel sowars, and owed his safety to Donohoe's heroism and coolness.'

Patrick Donohoe was born at Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland in 1820 and enrolled for the 17th Lancers at Dublin on June 12, 1839, giving his trade as 'coachmaker'. On April 1, 1842, he transferred to the 9th Lancers, then authorized for India. After 25 years and 90 days service, on September 9, 1864, he was finally discharged in Dublin due to being unfit for further service [chronic bronchitis]. He died at Ashbourne, County Meath on August 16, 1876 and is buried in Donoughmore Catholic Churchyard, County Cork.

Donohoe was among a select group, unique to his unit, to be present at all three great military episodes of the rebellion - the Siege of Delhi, the Relief of Lucknow and the final capture of that city. The 9th Lancers was rewarded with thirteen V.C.s during the mutiny - a record for a single Victorian Campaign.

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